Headteacher
Backwell School, Bristol, BS48 3BX34 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2025
Closing date
21 January 2025 at 9am
Date listed
6 December 2024
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L36 - L40 (£117,601 - £129,673)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for a leader who will:
- support our continued journey in excellence with a focus on informed practice in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy to ensure we provide outstanding educational opportunities for all our young people.
- bring a track record of success in enabling all pupils to reach their potential, particularly those who are vulnerable.
- have the knowledge and qualities needed to continue to develop colleagues so that they achieve the highest standards of teaching and learning and who is themselves a skilled classroom teacher.
- demonstrate a personal commitment to inclusion and diversity of staff and students.
- enjoy celebrating the team’s successes.
- see value and opportunity in collaborating with schools across LSP (our MAT) and beyond, whilst also championing Backwell School.
What the school offers its staff
Backwell is a thriving and successful school in which the challenge is not only to maintain and improve the school’s performance but also to ensure that we deliver for every one of our students. Staff, students and parents rightly expect a lot from the leaders in our school. Backwell is a demanding place to work but is also a hugely enjoyable and rewarding context. We have great common purpose in our commitment to young people and belief in the transformational power of education.
Backwell is one of 30 schools in Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP). There are three other large secondary schools and the relationships between the schools are strong. Headteachers meet regularly along with the Director of Secondary and there is positive collaboration between the schools. The Trust’s latest Strategic Plan is available on the LSP website, www.lsp.org.uk. The Trust’s central offices are based at Gordano School in Portishead.
Further details about the role
The application pack contains much of the information that you will need. However, as this is an exceptionally important process for the school and a significant decision in your own professional career, please do not hesitate to contact Clair Gardner, Head’s PA (01275 463371 or cgardner@backwellschool.net), if we can add to or clarify any of the details that you have been sent.
We would encourage prospective candidates to visit our school prior to application.
Visits are scheduled for:
- Wednesday 11 December (11:00am onwards)
- Thursday 12 December (9:00am – 11:30am)
- Monday 16 December (11:00am – 3:00pm)
- Tuesday 17 December (All day)
Please email cgardner@backwellschool.net or call 01275 463371 to book a visit.
Further visits will be available in January 2025.
Applications should be submitted through our online recruitment platform and candidates should attach a letter of application addressed to Mrs Jacci Ramplin, Chair of Governors (please do not include a curriculum vitae).
Please address the following issues in your letter of application:
- Examples of your work which provide evidence of your leadership skills and that demonstrate how you would work effectively in this post;
- The values and philosophy which underpin your commitment to education.
The written application will be scored against the selection criteria in deciding whether to shortlist applicants.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership - Backwell School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all in its community to share this commitment. Suitability to work with children and young people will form part of the selection process. As part of the shortlisting process an online search will be carried out. All appointments will be subject to vetting, including an enhanced DBS check.
We are also committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs are not accepted.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Backwell School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1630 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- Backwell School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- cgardner@backwellschool.net
- Phone number
- 01275 463371
Backwell School is a large, vibrant, very popular mixed comprehensive school situated in Backwell, North Somerset, about 6 miles south of Bristol. We have a long-standing reputation for combining academic success for students of all abilities with a fully rounded and enriching educational experience. In 2008 and again in 2013 both the school and the Sixth Form were rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted.
Backwell School became an academy in 2011 and joined the Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) multi-academy trust in January 2018. The LSP currently consists of two other large local secondary school as well as many primary schools in the local area. We have strong links with colleagues in the Trust which allows us to create CPD, collaboration and information sharing opportunities. For many years, Backwell has placed great importance on providing high quality teacher training and professional development. It became a Training School in 2003 and a Teaching School in 2012, leading the North Somerset Teaching Alliance.
Backwell School is situated in an attractive semi-rural location to the south of Bristol. Backwell itself is a village with a strong sense of community and the school is located next door to the leisure centre with swimming pool. Other nearby towns include Nailsea, Yatton and Portishead (listed in the top 10 suburbs in the UK) and staff live in locations such as these or in Bristol itself. The South West is a beautiful part of the world with excellent links to London and the North. Devon, Cornwall and Wales are within easy reach and Bristol Airport is only 3 miles from Backwell.
Arranging a visit to Backwell School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email cgardner@backwellschool.net.
School location
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